20 May 2011: SEQ: Recent rail transport projects 'half baked'

[ozbob]

Media release 20 May 2011

SEQ: Recent rail transport projects 'half baked'

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called for a complete review of how rail based transport projects are cast in south-east Queensland.  A series of blunders with recent projects is just adding exponentially to long term costs.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A number of recent rail transport projects in south-east have been partially botched fundamentally as a result of poor project design. Here are some examples."

"Oxley railway station is presently receiving a cosmetic tart-up. A failure to build the fourth platform at Oxley as part of the Corinda to Darra track amplification project, coupled with a failure to electrify fully the up suburban line (the 'freight line') is already causing considerable conflicts between freight trains and suburban services (1).  In many cases freight trains are not using the 'freight' line but are continuing to use the main lines, this further confirms the non-utility of the present track configuration from Corinda through to Darra West."

"The subway at Oxley railway station has had recent cosmetic improvements (2). Cracks in the wall have been mortared over but water seepage continues. It is highly likely that expensive mitigation works will be needed when the opportunity to properly fix the structural issues was passed over during recent construction of platform 3 at Oxley during the track amplification project. Initial construction of Oxley bus stop B was botched (3), and lay idle whilst authorities feuded over who was responsible.  It finally got fixed up but at great cost and inconvenience to all.  Surely it is better to do  projects right from the outset?"

"There is a requirement for public transport infrastructure to be compliant for disabled access.  Platforms at Fortitude Valley, Indooroopilly, Oxley and Darra are too low.  These platforms could have been built at a better height during recent construction works with a bit more foresight.  Millions of dollars will be required to come back and fix these oversights down the track."

"The truncation of the track amplification project on the Sunshine Coast line at Beerburrum, rather than Landsborough as originally planned is now having very serious repercussions in the lack of train capacity (4).  Government rhetoric for transport solutions such as detailed in the draft Connecting SEQ 2031 document is simply not being matched by rational infrastructure development."

"Present planning for the Springfield railway line does not include the construction of the Ellen Grove station as part of the initial construction (5).  This station is going to be built later, after the railway is actually operating as far as we are aware.  Again, this is just going to add excessive costs in the longer term to come back and build it.  It is far preferable to build the railway station at Ellen Grove as a 'greenfield' project, rather than around a busy operating railway in a few more years.  In fact a staged expansion of the Springfield railway to first Ellen Grove and then Springfield Central would see the line operating earlier."

"It is not difficult to understand why we are concerned.  Surely it is better to get these expensive projects right first time?"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=944.msg54671#msg54671

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4547.msg54146#msg54146

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3294.msg19516#msg19516

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5377.0

5. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3940.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org